From time to time I will highlight a classic source you can reliably use to teach children, fellow-church-members, friends, elected representatives and the public (when you pen a letter or editorial) about the science of happiness and freedom in connection with sex, marriage and parenting.

Today, I’m highlighting the greatest material I have ever found regarding how cohabitation risks the happiness and security of later marriage. The findings are thoroughly documented, nuanced, and logically presented by Professor Scott Stanley of the University of Denver. No one does a better job of explaining exactly why cohabiting is not only associated with higher rates of divorce, but also plays a causal role.

The entertaining video is here. It’s over an hour but WELL worth your time, especially for those of you trying to explain this to kids or friends: